Smokin Aces

Actors:  Ryan Reynolds, Andy Garcia, Matthew Fox, Ben Affleck, Jeremy Piven, Ray Liotta, Alicia Keys, Peter Berg, Jason Bateman,

Rating:  7 out of 10, extremely bloody action with surprisingly strong cast with twists all over the place.  No one is safe in this movie and a bunch of actors are playing against their normal type.  The action and the story are so complex that at times it is hard to keep track of who the good guys are and vice versa, still enjoyable.

MVP: Reynolds as the betrayed FBI agent

Snatch

Actors:  Brad Pitt, Vinny Jones, Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Farina, Rade Sherbedgia, Jason Statham

Rating: 9 out of 10, truly lovable characters with wildly careening plot.  Pitt is almost imcomprehensible as a gypsy boxer.  This movie is going in so many directions at once that at times you’re looking around for a help but it all gets tied up and it is all too funny.  I loved this movie.

MVP:  Sherbiga as the indestructible Russian Boris the Blade

Sneakers

Actors:  Robert Redford, Sidney Potier, Dan Ackroyd, River Phoenix, Mary McDonnel, Ben Kingsley, David Straighthairn

Rating: 8 out of 10, great cast and story but a little anti-gov preachy at times, which is in line with Redford’s politics.  The cast does a great job of supporting each other which is interesting to watch given their wildly different styles.  Sad to see Phoenix who obviously had the talent to go far and died shortly after this movie. 

MVP: Straighthairn is great as the blind operative Whistler

S.O.B.

Actors:  Richard Mulligan, Julie Andrews, Robert Vaughn, Robert Preston, William Holden, Robert Webber, Larry Hagman

Rating: 9 out of 10, great, scathing send up of Hollywood with simply awesome cast and some of the best lines ever.  Supposedly mirrors some of the experiences of Blake Edwards who directed this. This movie also is famous for Mary Poppins' nude scene.  The caricature of Hollywood types still rings true and the unblemished friendship of Preston, Webber, and especially Holden for Mulligan is compared to the shallowness of the rest.  Having a great supporting actor stand in for Felix at his funeral is a great touch.

MVP:  Holden defines cool as the loyal friend Cully, just a superb actor

Somewhere in Time

Actors:  Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour, Christopher Plummer

Rating: 8 out of 10, real romantic fantasy ably carried by Reeve and Seymour.  I really like the fact that the intense love the two main characters felt for each other was the catalyst for time travel.  Reeve seems a little uncomfortable at times but he carries it off.  A real chick flick but the movie, against all odds, really works for me.

MVP:  Seymour is luminous as the eternal love Elise McKenna

The Soldier

Actors:  Kurt Russell, Connie Nielson, Jason Scott Lee, Michael Chiklis, Gary Busey

Rating: 9 out of 10, well done sci fi that emphasizes core values of soldiers and the importance of humanity.  Russell is a good enough actor that he plays the deadpan role with nuance instead of someone like Keanu for whom it is a natural state.  The story is pretty straightforward and with a less capable cast would have been a B-movie, at best.  This works and was very enjoyable.

MVP:  Russell excellent as the deadpan, but deadly SGT Todd

Something’s Gotta Give

Actors:  Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Amanda Peet, Frances McDormand

Rating: 8 out of 10, real chick flick but superb cast carries it.  Reeves actually acts for once but the real chemistry here is between the two leads.  You really feel for Jack – even though he is living his fantasy life.  Really intelligent script although Keaton goes a little over the top at times.  I really liked this movie.

MVP:  Nicholson at his smirking best as the hound dog Harry

Soylent Green

Actors:  Charlton Heston, Edward G Robinson, Leigh Taylor Young, Chuck Conners

Rating: 7 out of 10, dated but well done sci fi message movie, a lot of which came out in the 70s – apocalyptic visions of the future after the turmoil of the 60s.  Interesting that this is set in the past from nowadays – guess we’re doing better than they thought we’d do. Young is supremely hot in the early 70’s kind of way as Shirl the furniture.

MVP:  Heston – as always, is a real movie star.

Spartacus

Actors:  Kirk Douglas, Jean Simmons, Peter Ustinov, Lawrence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Charles Laughton

Rating: 9 out of 10, one of true classic epic movies - just a tad bit long and preachy.  Its like – we get it – they’re fighting for their freedom.  This movie is so well done and the cast is an all star team for the time.  The only miss is Curtis – still trying to figure out how a Brooklyn accent landed in ancient Rome.  Douglas in his prime was a great actor and handled the physical aspects with ease – a real athlete.  One of the best scenes in movie history is when the survivors of the last battle all stand and claim to be Spartacus - great double meaning.

MVP:  Douglas in the title role - lives the role and is totally believable

Spawn

Actors:  John Leguizamo, Jai White, DB Sweeny, Theresa Randle, Martin Sheen, Nicol Williamson

Rating: 6 out of 10, great special effects but too cartoonish a story – just lacks the humanity needed in some of main characters.  Sheen overacts which he does in roles he thinks are beneath him.  Randle is not convincing as the wife.  Williamson, White, and especially Leguizamo carry the movie.

MVP:  Leguizamo is hilarious as the clown demon (did I just write clown demon!?)

Speed

Actors:  Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Daniels, Dennis Hopper

Rating: 7 out of 10, non stop action with a ludicrous plot but very, very entertaining.  Reeves actually makes this work in a way he missed in Point Break.  There is real connection between him and Bullock – great screen couple.  Hopper plays a great villain although he does go over the top a little – but hey, he’s Hopper.  This movie works and Bullock is the reason.

MVP:  A young Bullock as the sweet and spunky Annie, steals every scene

Spiderman

Actors:  Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe, James Franco, Cliff Robertson

Rating: 9 out of 10, great translation of the comic book classic to movie – they get it right here.  Dunst is the only miss in the cast.  The dynamic between Dafoe, Franco, and Maguire proviedes great tension.  Dafoe always plays a great psycho.  The impossible action is really well done and believable. 

MVP:  Maguire in the title role brings right amount of clumsy and flash

Spiderman 2

Actors:  Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina

Rating: 8 out of 10, solid follow up but slow first half makes it fall short of #1.  Too much Dunst at the cost of screen time for actors who really made the first movie so good.  The action remains the attraction for the franchise but there is too little of that placed in the first half to make it a great movie. 

MVP:  Molina is a great take as the evil but conflicted Doc Ock

Spiderman 3

Actors:  Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace

Rating: 7 out of 10, too much melodrama at the cost of action as this franchise is really running out of steam.  Converting to evil Spidy is a huge mistake and Grace is supremely unlikable in his role, more so than the part called for.  This movie works when it explores Maguire-Franco relationship.

MVP:  Franco as the tormented but ultimately heroic Harry

Spy Game

Actors:  Robert Redford, Brad Pitt, Catherine McCormack, Stephen Dillane

Rating: 7 out of 10, great plot and acting with typical Redford anti-government bias but the action and intertwined plot pull it out.  Great use of flashbacks to set the stage for the current action.  Redford is a really good actor who is believable as the agent heading out the door who rescues a friend and pays debts back at same time. 

MVP:  Pitt as the young CIA protégé Tom

Stardust

Actors:  Robert Deniro, Clair Danes, Michelle Pfieffer, Sienna Miller, Charley Cox, Ricky Gervais, Peter O’Toole

Rating: 10 out of 10, movie with everything, cast (with cool cameos throughout), story, comedy, action, and effects - dare anyone to not like this fairy tale.  This movie totally snuck up on me – truly one of my favorite movies of all time.  Just when you think it's going to step across the line for being too sweet – it surprises you again.  Keep an eye on Cox – he could be headed for stardom.  This movie has immense heart and is the kind of movie that brings people to love movies.  GREAT MOVIE!

MVP:  Great cast but Deniro as a gay sky pirate is a revelation and he truly sells it

Stargate

Actors:  Kurt Russell, James Spader, Jaye Davidson, Viveca Lindfors

Rating: 9 out of 10, great sci  fi action with engaging story and characters.  I had forgotten because of the series I liked so much to watch with my son as he was growing up but this movie was a real eye catcher when it first came out.  I was deployed to Egypt when it came out and when I came back both of the kids knew I had to see this – they were right.  Great movie.

MVP:  Russell as the tortured Col O’Neill is cool and dangerous

Starman

Actors:  Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaekel

Rating: 8 out of 10, a movie with a serious amount of heart with a great couple in Allen and Bridges.  Bridges adds little nuances to his physical depiction that subtly portrays he is an alien inhabiting a human body.  Not over the top, just enough to let you know there is something different – great actor.  Charlie Martin Smith is fun to watch in whatever role he plays. 

MVP:  Bridges is a revelation as he channels the alien possessing a human

Starship Troopers

Actors:  Caspar VanDien, Dina Myer, Denise Richards, Patrick Muldoon, Neil Patrick Harris, Jake Busey

Rating: 9 out of 10, has sci fi action, special effects, some nudity, and everything you'd want except acting. Total popcorn movie that does have a serious message - the danger of a military dominated government.  One of my favorite books as a kid that is adequately translated to the screen. Superb use of special effects that makes you believe the impossible battles are actually happening. My son's favorite movie of all time.

MVP:  Van Dien as the hero Johnny Rico, can’t act a lick but serves as hero

Starship Troopers 3 Marauder

Actors:  Caspar Van Dien, Jolene Blalock, Boris Kodjoe,

Rating: 4 out of 10, really sad follow up with extremely unlikable cast except Rico.  Everything that was so good about the original is lacking here – a total bomb. 

MVP: Van Dien still can’t act but he’s oscar capable in this cast

Starsky and Hutch

Actors:  Snoop Dog, Owen Wilson, Ben Stiller, Jason Bateman, Vince Vaughn

Rating: 7 out of 10, funny as hell send up of the 70s TV show.  Wilson and Stiller make a great team that play off each’s unique strengths.  Vince Vaughn is kind of weird as the villain.  Some tangents were explored that should have been ignored but still a very funny movie.

MVP:  Wilson as the Hutch is a great foil to Stiller’s crazed Starsky

Star Trek

Actors:  John Cho, Ben Cross, Simon Pegg, Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Bruce Greenwood, Leonard Nimoy,

Rating: 10 out of 10, awesome is all aspects, casting, story, and effects.  I was nervous when they talked about redoing the favorite show of my youth but they did it the right way.  The best part was completely reworking the individual story lines of the main characters.  Pine will be a big star someday and Saldana is her usual top notch.   The sheer amount of ground that this movie covers is amazing.

MVP:  Simon Peg as Scotty steals every scene he is in great cast

Stealth

Actors:  Jessica Biel, Jamie Foxx, Sam Sheppard, Josh Lucas

Rating: 7 out of 10, relentless but farfetched action that is enjoyable if you can successfully overlook the complete unbelievability of the script.  Lucas always does well as the leading man and has real chemistry with Biel.  Biel is actually pretty good in this, for a change, and does the military gal thing well.  This was an interesting choice for Foxx to follow up his oscar with.

MVP:  Biel is hot and dangerous as Lt Cara Wade

Stepmom

Actors:  Ed Harris, Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts, Jena Malone

Rating: 5 out of 10, real chick flick, over long movie with great cast (I love every actor in it), glad I got this for free because I would not spend a cent on this.  Too much estrogen flying around for me to fully enjoy – even Harris looks pained at times – pass on this.  Very few of the charachters come out as likable.

MVP:  Malone more than holds her own in a talented cast as the bitchy daughter Anna

Stranger than Fiction

Actors:  Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhall, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah, Emma Thompson

Rating: 9 out of 10, a truly enjoyable and quirky story with some great acting.  I surprised myself by liking this movie so much – great concept of an author actually narrating someone’s life, which that person can now hear.  The scenes between Farrell and Gyllenhall are so sweet – especially when they realize they are in love with each other.  Feel good movie.

MVP:  Gyllenhall is simply lovable as the fiery baker Anna Pascal

Straw Dogs

Actors:  Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Kevin Vaughn, TP McKenna

Rating: 7 out of 10, George is gorgeous and the climatic battle is awesome but this is a lot slower pace than I recall.  The stark scenes on the moors are a great set up for the final scenes of a man defending his home. Hoffman is perfect as a mild mannered husband who finally stands up for himself. (still much better than 2011 version which I just saw)

MVP:  Hoffman is great as Henry, a mild man pushed too far

Stripes

Actors:  Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, John Candy, Judge Reinhold, John Larroquette, Sean Young, PJ Soles, Warren Oates

Rating: 7 out of 10, still a very funny movie with cool scenes from where I went to basic training at Ft Knox shot just a year or so after I was there. (spent many an hour marching where Murray in standing in the photo and in the barracks behind him) The movie loses a little bit of its edge once they graduate but up to that point it is one of the funniest movies ever.  Oates is a great foil for Murray and unless he was a better actor than I believe he was - I think he really hated Murray.   Murray and Ramis (before he put on 200 pounds) make a great team.

MVP:  Murray as John Winger, possibly worst soldier ever still carries movie

Sum of All Fears

Actors:  Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell, Live Schrieber, Bridget Moynihan,  Michael Byrne, Ciaran Hinds, Alan Bates

Rating: 8 out of 10, the first 45 minutes really drag but the last 50 minutes more than make up for that.  Affleck surprisingly is up for this part and does well as the young Jack Ryan.  Great special effects and very realistic military cooperation was obvious in this movie. 

MVP:  Byrne plays Anatoly Grushcov, the man behind the Russian president perfectly

Superbad

Actors:  Seth Rogan, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Rating: 7 out of 10, some real laugh out loud moments but kind of disjointed.  Some classic scenes – most involving McLovin.  Cera does his usual geek with a heart and Hill just tries too hard and is not that funny.  Rogan is funny is small part as a really bad cop.

MVP;  Plesse is a revelation as the uber geek McLovin

Superman the Movie

Movie: Superman the Movie

Actors:  Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Valerie Perrine

Rating: 10 out of 10, first and one of greatest comic book hero movies with an absolutely awesome musical score.  This movie holds up better than just about any other movie from the 70s.  Hackman is perfect as Luther and his comments to bumbling sidekick Beatty are funny as hell.  Reeve really dominates though and is very effective in becoming totally different characters when switching between roles.

MVP:  Reeve really sells the dual role of Kent and Superman, believable in both

Superman Returns

Actors:  Kevin Spacey, Parker Posey, Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Frank Langella

Rating: 9 out of 10, great re-telling of the Superman legend borrowing from original 70's movie.  Bosworth is a total waste as Lois Lane but Spacey is coolly evil as Luther – much more diabolical than in the original.  Routh has some real talent and I liked Marsden in his small role.MVP:  Spacey as usual is delicious as the uber villain Lex Luther

Supernova

Actors:  James Spader, Angela Bassett, Robert Forster, Lou Diamond Phillips, Peter Facinelli, Robin Tunney

Rating: 7 out of 10, short but effective SF drama with solid cast and taut script.  It keeps you guessing until the end and the villain looks so much like Tom Cruise that it is spooky. 

MVP:  Facinelli as the Tom Cruise look alike bad guy

SWAT

Actors:  Samuel L Jackson, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez, LL Cool J, Jeremy Renner

Rating: 7 out of 10, solid action movie with likable cast but without a real coherent script.  The bad guy is Renner in an early role where you can see his potential.  Jackson kind of sleep walks through this but Farrell is solid.

MVP:  LLCool J as the new member is a natural, believable and dangerous

Swordfish

Actors:  Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, John Travolta, Don Cheadle

Rating: 7 out of 10, fast paced action with an engaging cast and really far fetched story.  Travolta is so cool as the bad guy always a step ahead of everyone else.  Jackman is a very likable star and is believable as the hacker – Berry is in the movie for two reasons and that’s kind of a waste considering her talent – but worth watching.

MVP:  Travolta despite his wierd haircut dominates as the crime boss

Tailor of Panama

Actors:  Pierce Brosnan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Geoffrey Rush, Catherine McCormack

Rating: 6 out of 10, very cool seeing scenes in Panama, where I was stationed, but the story is all over the place and never really figures out where it is going. This is what happens when they try to get everything froma besteselling book into a movie.  Rush is always fun to watch and he is perfect as the con man faking aristocratic credentials.  Brosnan starts out strong but fades in the second half.  McCormack and Curtis are two of my favorite movie sirens.

MVP:  Curtis is still white hot and more than holds her own against Rush and Brosnan

Taken

Actors:  Liam Neeson, Famke Jenson, Maggie Grace

Rating: 10 out of 10, awesome action with relentless plot and a great cast.  I thought this would be a run of the mill action movie but it clearly transcends the normal.  Neeson is perfect as a slightly over the hill operative with the motivation to save his daughter.  He is very authentic and its great to see all the creeps get taken down without any political correctness.  Superb Movie!

MVP:  Neeson out Bauers Jack Bauer as the super star operative

Talladega Nights

Actors:  Jane Lynch, Will Ferrell, Michael Clark Duncan, Sasha Cohen, Amy Adams, John C Reilly, Gary Cole

Rating: 7 out of 10, some truly hilarious moments and the interaction between Ferrell and Reilly is so, so funny.  Both of them play the idiot so well that it takes the NASCAR stereotype and goes with it.  Amy Adams in one of her early roles shows the promise that is starting to be recognized in more serious films.  Driving lessons with a live cougar had me rolling on the floor.

MVP: Reilly is great as the oblivious but well meaning best friend Cal Naughton

Tears of the Sun

Actors: Bruce Willis, Tom Skerrit, Monica Belucci, Cole Hauser, Eamonn Walker

Rating:  9 out of 10, great story and action with very realistic combat sequences.  They do a great job on the military aspects of the operation and the actors obviously spent some time preparing because, unlike so many other films, I could believe they were seals.  Willis and Belucci make a great couple.

MVP:  Willis as the stoic but heroic leader of the seal team

The Terminal

Actors:  Tom Hanks, Zoe Saldana, Catherine Zeta Jones, Stanley Tucci, Chi McBride, Diego Luna

Rating: 10 out of 10, comedy that lifts itself above the routine on pure heart and Tom Hanks.  This is one of those movies that draws you in and takes ordinary people and makes them heroic in small situations.  Hanks simple goodness proves more than a match for Tucci’s uber-bureaucrat.  There is also the sweet love story of Saldana and Luna set against Hanks’ pursuit of someone not worthy of him.  GREAT MOVIE!

MVP:  Hanks as the terminally bound but totally lovable Victor Navorski

The Terminator

Actors:  Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn

Rating: 10 out of 10, great start to series with fast paced action, great story and likable heroes.  Obviously they had less money for this original but just great action throughout with an interesting concept played to the ultimate.  Hamilton and Biehn are a sweet couple, even when making pipe bombs.  Arnold is perfect in a role that he doesn’t have to speak much in. 

MVP:  Biehn as Kyle Reese the dynamic savior from the future always wondered why he didn’t do more

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

Actors:  Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick

Rating: 10 out of 10, superb follow up to great original, relentless action with story and effects.  This was first film when I realized Cameron was going to be something special as a director.  Huge budget for the time and remember the line “It’s all up on the screen” and that is certainly true.  Hamilton moves her formally sweet character into some dangerous territory and seem really authentic.  Furlong is age appropriate for his role and carries movie.  You can see Arnold’s growth as an actor since the first film.

MVP:  Arnold in his best role as the Conner friendly terminator

Terminator 3 - Rise of the Machines

Actors:  Nick Stahl, Clair Danes, Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Andrews, Kristina Lokken

Rating: 8 out of 10, adequate action but lacks the edge and imagination of earlier two.  Stahl just doesn’t have it when it comes to portraying someone who is supposed to be a great leader.  Lokken was very interesting as the female terminator and I always love Danes.  Arnold is definitely showing some age but still carries the action well.

MVP:  Danes is her usual great as the future wife of John Conner

Terminator Salvation

Actors:  Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood

Rating: 9 out of 10, excellent follow up to show the post apocalyptic world and Bale is capable of being the hero needed for the John Conner role.  Worthington is a very interesting actor who handles the physical role with some nuance as well.  Great loop back to the characters from the original movie. 

MVP:  Worthington as Marcus the confused resurrected cyborg

That Thing You Do

Actors:  Tom Hanks, Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, Jonathan Schaech

Rating: 9 out of 10, extremely enjoyable with a great cast and extremely well written.  The superb young cast captures some of the innocence of the 1960s that is missed by most movies that focus on the war and the unrest.  Hanks, as always, is a pleasure to watch in a mentor role.  Scott was very good but I wonder what happened to him because have not heard much lately.

MVP:  Zahn is hilarious as Lenny the band cut up in first role I ever noticed him in

There’s Something About Mary

Actors:  Cameron Diaz, Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Chris Elliot

Rating: 8 out of 10, laugh out loud moments in a totally irreverent comedy.  Diaz does a great job of redefining herself as a really capable comedic actress.  Best of the Farrelly brothers’ efforts which as always uses gross out and shocking moments for humor.  Dillon is really funny as the smarmy PI.  Probably most uncomfortable movie moment ever with the prom night fiasco.

MVP:  Diaz in her best role is luminous as Mary the object of everybody’s lust

There Will be Blood

Actors:  Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Dano, Kevin J O’Conner, Ciaren Hinds, Dillon Freasier

Rating: 6 out of 10, over long with slow moving and at times plodding plot and  avery unlikable main character.  As expected powerful acting by Lewis who may be the best dramatic actor of this era.  You really end up not caring about the characters and that’s always a problem for me.

MVP:  Lewis as Daniel Plainview is at his powerful best, a force of nature

The Thing

Actors:  Kurt Russell, Keith David, Richard Masur, Richard Dysart, Wilford Brimley

Rating: 9 out of 10, great suspense and drama in a fight for human survival set in Antartica.  Fabulous job portraying the cold which is almost like another character.  The special effects are really dated now but I remember them as a lot more scary.  Russell more than establishes himself as a bona fide action star in this movie.

MVP:  Russell carries entire movie as Macready the leader for human survival

Thirteen Ghosts

Actors:  Tony Shaloub, Shannon Elizabeth, Matthew Lilliard, Embeth Davidtz

Rating: 8 out of 10, really well done horror movie with some very scary ghosts.  I usually don’t like movies that rely too much on sudden shocks but this is an exception.  Great cast, although Shaloub is a little too whiny for my taste, and Elizabeth and Davidtz are underused. 

MVP:  Lillard does well as the conflicted psychic

Three Kings

Actors:  George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonz, Jamie Kennedy

Rating: 9 out of 10, movie with a heart, great cast - tries a little too hard to politicize the right decisions made at end of first Iraqi war.  I like some of the quirky techniques used to tell the story.  Clooney, Wahlberg, and Cube are a great buddy team and Jonz a great foil for them.  Very nostalgic for me because I’ve met soldiers like all that are portrayed here.

MVP:  Jonz steals every scene he is in as the lovable redneck idiot Conrad

Timecop

Actors:  Jean-Claude Van Damme, Ron Silver, Mia Sara

Rating: 6 out of 10, has not aged well and you now can see just how bad an actor VD was.  I still like this movie but I remembered it as groundbreaking action sci fi and now all I see is a lot of VD posturing.  Silver is a real creep as the villain which is what they were aiming for I guess.

MVP:  Sara as the wife is incredibly hot and one of few who can act in film - whatever happened to her?